For Lesson on Deadline,
Look to Hawaii in 1960

WASHINGTON -- In presidential election disputes, some deadlines just can't be ignored. Others aren't quite so important. The trick is figuring out the difference.

There are four significant dates on the horizon: Tuesday, Dec. 12, is the "safe harbor" date in a federal law that assures states that if election disputes are settled by then, under laws in place on Election Day, the resulting presidential electors won't be challenged in Congress. Next Monday, Dec. 18, is the day federal law requires electors to meet...